Tasting - Colliano Cuvee White

Name: Colliano Cuvee White

Variety: Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignonasse, and Chardonnay blend

Region: Brda (hills)

Country: Slovenia

Vintage: 2015

Price: $17

Winery Review: This cuvee is a tasteful merging of three varietals, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignonasse, and Chardonnay. Picked solely by hand, the wine reflects the history and quality produced from this wine region. The blending of the creamy lightly oaked Chardonnay with the well balanced acidity gained from Sauvignonasse, is complimented with the complexity of the Ribolla Gialla variety. Malolactic fermentation finished with oak barrel ageing produces a wine for all seasons. 

My Review: This week I decided to try blends. How I landed upon this gem was really just a lucky draw. I went to the wine section labeled "unusual" and looked for something that was clearly marked as more than one variety. Enter Colliano Cuvee White! The first surprise about this wine for me was that it was from Slovenia. I had no idea they made wine. Or that it was located so close to Italy.

When I poured myself a glass and swirled to my heart's content, I smelled a faint hint of honeysuckle. The oaky, buttery, Chardonnay aspect was very strong. It also smelled a bit like sauvignon blanc as well; what I call stink-feet-cheese wine. It was an interesting combination. 

The second surprise I experience was when I tasted this unique creature. It had a mouthfeel (finally got to use this word) like it was a sparkling wine. It had a snap, crackle and pop that was pleasant. However, there were no bubbles and it was not sweet like the majority of the sparkling wines I've tasted. It was very crisp and almost tart...something akin to a granny smith apple. Once I had swished it around a bit and swallowed the beverage, it finished like a very buttery California Chardonnay. It coated the mouth and made you feel warm all over.  It was an interesting sensation to say the least. 

I had another glass with dinner. We had brauts soaked in beer, paprika and garlic pan seared potatoes, green beans and sliced pears. It is was an unusual combination, but when your child asks for fruits and veggies, you oblige in any way you can. The saltiness of the brauts and the potatoes really complimented the wine. It brought out the notes of honeysuckle. However, the pears made the wine really quite sour. 

Overall, I would definitely buy this again. I will probably just drink it on it's own. Pairing it with food I feel could be hit or miss.